Kevin Curtain announces retirement
The multiple national road race champion and former world number 2 World Supersport warrior informed friends, family and his team of his decision on March 28, withdrawing from all competition.
"I have been lucky enough to live a blessed life and through racing I have seen all parts of the world and met some amazing people," Curtains starts.
"But the motivation to continue at this level has dropped for me and I didn't feel I could give my team, my family and my sponsors a 100 percent effort every time I went on the track and for that reason, it is that I have decided to retire from racing.
"Motorcycles have been a huge part of my life and it wasn't an easy decision as racing is my passion and I have dedicated so much of my life towards it. But I know it is the right thing to do and looking back I couldn't have asked for more.
"I also would like to thank all the people who have been involved in my racing and who have assisted me in chasing my dreams. Riding the bike is the easy part, having the right people behind you, privately and professionally, make the job that much better and far more rewarding, so without going through a huge list of names, I thank everyone who has been there for me over the time.
"I look forward to a life outside of bikes and have some spare weekends now but I will always follow racing and with all the riders in one series here in Australia, things look to be back on track and the future looks good for the talented riders we have coming through," Curtain ends.
Curtain has been the mainstay of Australian road racing for years, starting way back in 1993 when he attended a road race event at Oran Park for the very first time. He was instantly hooked and in just two years, was the 1995 250cc Australian Production Champion.
His career continued to blossom and national championships continued before he got the chance to move to Europe and contest the World Supersport Championship, culminating in the 2006 season, where he finished in second place.
Returning to Australia shortly after, Curtain signed with the Yamaha Racing Team in 2010. He then went on to win the FX Australasian Superbike Championship three years running - 2010/2011/2012 - and also numerous championships in various support classes including Formula Oz and 600cc Supersport.
"Kevin will be sorely missed by all of us at YRT," said team owner John Redding. "We have built up a great working relationship with Kevin over the time and watching him race our bikes and represent our brand has been our pleasure.
"He is a one in a generation rider and has won, earned and demanded the respect of the racing industry here in Australia. It has been great to work with him, an honour to stand behind him and on behalf of Yamaha we wish Kevin all the success and happiness in his life after racing."
Kevin Curtain - racing career highlights
1995: Australian 250cc Production Champion
1996: Australian Supersport Champion
1997: 4th Australian Supersport Championship
1998: Formula Xtreme Champion /Australian Pro-Superbike Champion
1999: Formula Xtreme Champion / 2nd Australian Supersport Championship / 6th Australian Superbike Championship
2000: Formula Xtreme Champion / Australian Supersport Champion / 3rd Australian Superbike Championship
2001: 5th World Supersport Championship / Including race wins at Phillip Island and Lausitzring
2002: Formula Xtreme Champion /FX Supersport Champion / 11th World Supersports Championship
2005: 2nd World Supersport Championship
2006: 2nd World Supersport Championship
2010: 1st FX Australasian Superbike Champion/ 1st Formula Oz
2011: 1st FX Australasian Superbike Champion/ 1st FX Supersport Champion
2012: 1st FX Australasian Superbike Champion / 1st FX Supersport Champion
2013: 2nd FX Australasian Superbike Champion / 1st Formula Oz
